Very disheartening update on Adam Cole's AEW future

Adam Cole has been missing from AEW programming since leaving due to health issues earlier this year. The former multi-time champion's long-time ally and stable-mate, Kyle O'Reilly, recently opened up on his friend's career status during an interview.

Adam Cole was supposed to defend the TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher this past July at All In : Texas. However, ahead of the pay-per-view, it was revealed that The Panama City Playboy had to vacate the title due to health complications, and that the belt would be contested over at the event in a four-way bout. Cole made an appearance on the show himself, cutting an emotional promo announcing his hiatus, and thanking the fans for their continuous support over the years.

Two of the former NXT Champion's oldest friends and stable-mates, Roderick Strong and Kyle O'Reilly, had been in the ring with him for his announcement at All In 2025, and later vowed to carry on Cole's legacy moving forward on AEW programming. The Violent Artist recently reflected on his Paragon brother being away from the squared circle indefinitely on the AEW Unrestricted podcast. He alluded to him, Strong and Cole teaming against the Don Callis Family on the July 10 episode of Collision, a trios bout which will go down as Cole's last-ever match for now.

“We don’t know where Adam Cole’s at right now but, for the foreseeable future, that was his last match for the time being. You can’t take any of this for granted and you gotta appreciate and love every minute you get in there, you know?"

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O'Reilly emphasized, however, that Cole's career was not definitively over, and praised the former ROH World Champion for prioritizing his health and recovery.

"We just have so much love for each other. It’s unfortunate that it had to sort of — not end the way it did, because nothing’s ever over… But it’s just such a sad and unfortunate circumstance that what happened at All In but… I’m really proud of Adam (Cole) for making that call and for being the stand-up guy that he is and for taking his health into account and for starting that process to getting well again, and it’s huge and just forever proud of him and grateful that we got to do that again together."

O'Reilly tried to avenge Cole and capture the TNT Title earlier this month at Dynamite : Title Tuesday, but was defeated by defending champion Kyle Fletcher.

Kyle O'Reilly's recent battles with a former AEW World Champion

Jon Moxley fought Kyle O'Reilly one-on-one on the October 22 episode of AEW Dynamite. The bout did not end in The One True King's favour, unfortunately, as towards the closing stretch he found himself at the mercy of the Conglomeration member's ankle lock. Desperate not to tap out days after losing his "I Quit" match to Darby Allin at WrestleDream 2025, Moxley shockingly knocked out the referee, accepting a disqualification loss.

Mox and O'Reilly battled it out in a rematch this week on Fright Night AEW Dynamite. However, the showdown ended in a double count-out, after which The Death Riders ambushed Kyle and beat him down until Roderick Strong, the Conglomeration and Darby Allin arrived to make the save.

The Death Riders jumping Kyle O'Reilly on Dynamite [Image Credits: AEW's X profile]

Afterwards, the babyfaces challenged the violent heel group to face them in this year's Men's Blood and Guts match next month.

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Edited by Anurag Mukherjee